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Alone in London
Alone in London

Chapter VIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/11 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.
As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Alone in London

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/11 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.
Line 2
As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.
Line 3
Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.
Line 4
But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.
Line 5
To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.”

Nights noun US /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading “To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.”

PIPE noun US /pipe/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.”

All words in this reading · 95

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

aloud

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

bed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

boy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

broom

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

cold

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

counter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

crept

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

crossing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

door

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

door-step

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

easier

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

especially

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

example

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

face

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

finished

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

followed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.

Friend

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

given

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

granted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

grew

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

hard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

hide

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

hungry

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

imposing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

instructed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

invisible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

kneel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

kneeling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

minutes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

more

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

nightsnounUS /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

NOdeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.

noiselessly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

Now

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

often

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

OLD

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.

OLIVER

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.

Oliver's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

once

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

PIPE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading NO PIPE FOR OLD OLIVER.

prayer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

see

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

slept

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

smoked

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

starved

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To be sure his life was easier, especially the nights of it; for he never now went hungry and starved to bed upon some cold, hard door-step.

suspect

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

talking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

together

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

Tony

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

twice

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

watched

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Now that he slept under the counter, he could often hear the old man talking aloud to his invisible Friend as he smoked his pipe; and once or twice Tony crept noiselessly to the door and watched him, after he had finished smoking, kneel down and hide his face in his hands for some minutes together.

weeks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As some weeks went by, and no crossing and broom had been given to Tony, he began to suspect that Oliver was imposing upon him.

whispered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.

wish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the boy could see nothing, and his wish had not been granted; even though, as he grew more instructed, he followed Oliver's example, and, kneeling down behind the counter, whispered out a prayer for it.